Can You Schedule Instagram Posts on Instagram?

You can schedule Instagram posts, but you can’t use Instagram to do it…

In January 2018, Instagram released a new feature called “Content Publishing (Beta).”

But this feature still doesn’t let users schedule Instagram posts within the app.

However, it does allow third-party social media software applications like Hootsuite, SocialFlow, and Sprout Social to connect to Instagram directly.

In other words, to schedule Instagram posts, you need to use a third-party social media management application.

Hootsuite was one of the first to take advantage of this feature.

“The scheduling and publishing of Instagram content has been the number one request for our 16 million customers,” said Hootsuite CEO Ryan Holmes. “Now, they can manage large volumes of content, multiple team members and multiple Instagram accounts with ease and security. Hootsuite is excited to partner with Instagram to make this happen.”

Oh, one more catch: Social media applications like Hootsuite can only work with Instagram business profiles.

Ideally, users could simply schedule Instagram posts on the platform itself, like on Facebook:

3. Cultivate a Strong, Consistent Brand Look and Voice

As Senior Vice President of Apple Inc., Angela Ahrendts, said, “You have to create a consistent brand experience however and wherever a customer touches your brand, online or offline. The lines are forever blurred.”

Now, when you create multiple posts in one go, it’s far easier to ensure a consistent aesthetic and voice.

Plus, when you schedule Instagram posts, you’ll get the “big picture” view of what’s to come and can adjust each post so they match the style you’re aiming to achieve.

For example, you might notice that you have too much dark imagery and you need to add some lighter photos. Or you might find that you have plenty of product promotions, but need to share more lifestyle images.

It’s also easier to rearrange the order of your posts to create an attractive Instagram feed.

The study also revealed that follower count increases four times faster when brands post once a day rather than once a week.

What’s more, research by Union Metrics confirms that engagement doesn’t dip with increased posting. In fact, because of time zones and the algorithm, sharing more content on Instagram may be the best way to ensure your followers see your posts.

Bottom line: Try to post at least once a day.

But be warned: Don’t sacrifice quality in your quest for quantity. The algorithm rewards posts and accounts that receive high levels of engagement.

Summary

Scheduling Instagram posts has tons of benefits.

You can batch your post creation, save time, and upload directly from your computer. Plus, it’s easier to cultivate a consistent brand look and ensure your followers stay engaged with a carefully created schedule.

To schedule Instagram posts:

First, make sure you convert your Instagram profile to a business profile and verify it by connecting it to your Facebook page.

Then choose a third-party scheduling tool that best suits your needs, sign up, and link it to your Instagram account.

Schedule Instagram posts at peak times to maximize engagement using the charts from Sprout Social. Then, track which times perform best for your brand and constantly improve your posting schedule.

Lastly, don’t forget to engage with your followers. Reply to comments on your posts, and engage with other people’s posts on the platform.

Has scheduling Instagram posts helped your business grow? Let us know in the comments below!